Webster, Joanie

Webster, Joanie

One is immediately struck by Joanie Webster’s passion, exuberance and energy. The 1980 Recreation in Education graduate was a “builder” and student leader at UBC from the mid 1970s through 1990, particularly in the areas of Intramurals and Recreation. Together with Nestor Korchinsky, both of whom are visionaries, Joanie helped develop the UBC Co-Recreation program, outdoor recreation and intramurals generally into becoming the top program of its type in the country. In 1983 Joannie, with her everlasting passion for UBC, became the first full-time Associate Director hired in UBC Rec/Intramurals.

By 1990 UBC’s Recreation and Intramural programs led by Nestor and Joanie stood above those in other Canadian universities in terms of its student led administration and its unique programs. Joanie was also played an integral role in the creation of “The Point” newspaper which reports on campus events, students and sports and for bringing international students into UBC recreation and intramurals.

In 1990 Joanie started a family and a little over 20 years later has re-engaged with UBC as an active alumna. She is now mentoring students in Kinesiology and is volunteering her creativity and energy to UBC Recreation and Intramurals. At the same time, she serves as an advocate for youth at risk at Covenant House. Joanie doesn’t hesitate to mention that she feels fortunate to have been at UBC at a time when male leaders on campus fully supported the females.

Joanie, with her flare for event planning and community building, could well be considered one of UBC’s “treasures.”

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

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Ip, Alvin

Alvin_grad_1 (1)“The flexibility of the Kinesiology program has allowed me to pursue and develop my academic interest in rehabilitation for people with disabilities.”

For Alvin Ip, the path to medical school began to emerge while he was a Kinesiology undergraduate student conducting research in rehabilitation for people with disabilities.

Alvin graduated from the Interdisciplinary Studies stream at the UBC School of Kinesiology in 2012 and recently completed his 2nd year of medical school at UBC.  As an active member of the student community, he has served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the UBC Medical Journal, Vice President Communications of Students Interested in Internal Medicine, and Executive Team member of the Sports Medicine Interest Group.

As an undergraduate student, Ip became passionate about exploring Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a medical specialty concerned with restoring functional ability and quality of life in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities.

Looking back on his undergraduate years, Ip describes completing a research project from beginning to end as the highlight of his Kinesiology degree. Under the supervision of Dr. Tania Lam in KIN 499 (Directed Studies in Kinesiology), Ip was able to conduct research on a new strategy for stroke rehabilitation. “I recruited people from the community with stroke and pilot-tested a novel rehabilitation strategy to alleviate the walking asymmetry that people suffer after stroke,” says Ip. “This research is important because there is strong evidence that walking asymmetry leads to impaired balance, decreased bone strength, and increased falls.”

After concluding his research project, he presented his findings at the UBC Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference, where he won the ‘Top Oral Presenter’ award. Subsequently, he was selected to represent UBC at the Universitas21 Undergraduate Research Conference in Japan to showcase his research at the international level.

It is no surprise, then, that Ip credits his Kinesiology experience to his interest in medicine, and his aspiration to specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

“My undergraduate experience in Kinesiology has provided me with a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology with applications to rehabilitation, as well as early exposure to this interesting and rewarding medical specialty.”

Currently, he is participating in a medical student summer internship in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to Ip, he applied to this program because he was eager to explore how he could incorporate his passion for working with people with disabilities into his future clinical responsibilities as a physician.

As part of his internship, Ip is working with physicians and other members of the health care team to care for patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions.

“I am also learning more about the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology, which is very important because these professions provide the therapies that patients receive,” he says.

Throughout his time in medical school, and during his current internship, he has found his Kinesiology courses very relevant and helpful. Specifically, he credits KIN 190 with Dr. Tania Lam, KIN 275 with Dr. Maria Gallo, KIN 389 with Dr. Timothy Inglis, and KIN 473 with Dr. Mark Carpenter as being invaluable to his undergraduate experience. “I am very fortunate to have been taught by passionate and inspiring professors,” says Ip.

Apart from his medical studies, he enjoys giving back to his community through various organizations such as the Richmond Centre for Disability, The Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House and Volunteer Richmond Information Services, with one of his most fulfilling activities being a Mentor in the Kinesiology Mentorship Program.

His advice to current students and alumni? “Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. People are usually more than willing to help out in any way they can – but only if you ask. At the same time, and equally as important, don’t forget to thank the people who have helped you get to where you are.”

Wright, Thelma

The petite, energetic and charismatic Thelma Wright is UBC’s most prominent track and cross-country athlete. The 1973 Physical Education and 1974 Education graduate is presently the only UBC female track athlete to appear in two Olympics and has won medals at Commonwealth, Pan American and World Student Games and at the World Cross Country and World All-Star meets. Recognized as one of the world’s leading cross-country runners – seven time Canadian champion – she led UBC to three Canada West championships and two National titles. During the 1970s she set Canadian 1500M and 3000M records in addition to UBC records that as of 2014 still stand.

In her graduating year Thelma was not only co-recipient of UBC’s outstanding female athlete of the year award but won 17 of the 1500M races she ran that season contributing to her being named Canadian University Woman Athlete of the Year. Her accomplishments have led her to induction into both the BC and UBC Sports Halls of Fame.

In more recent years Thelma has taught and coached high school, elementary and UBC students and athletes while contributing to building UBC’s track and field program. The Wright family in fact could be considered UBC’s “First Family” with regard to the Olympics in that Thelma (’72 & ’76), husband Lee (’64 & ’76) and their two sons Anthony and Philip (’08) plus Thelma’s father-in-law Harold Wright (’32), are all UBC’ers and all Olympians.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

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McKaig, Terry

The amazing story of Varsity baseball at UBC is tied to 1997 Kinetics graduate Terry McKaig. It was the hiring of McKaig that same year as UBC’s head baseball coach that proved to be the key in launching to unexpected heights this resurrected program.

Terry as a player had made the Canadian national baseball team in 1995 but prior to his UBC appointment in 1997 had never before coached. Once he, along with his supporters the “Friends of Thunderbird Baseball”, established the program as part of the NAIA, the team experienced remarkable success. As of spring 2014 McKaig has guided the Thunderbirds to seven NAIA West championships and an appearance in the NAIA World Series. It was this World Series year the ‘Birds established themselves as the fourth best team in the entire US based NAIA.

The only program of its kind in Canada, Terry can be given much credit for building this concept and for sending 15 of his players on to professional baseball including elite draft choice and major leaguer Jeff Francis. Terry claims it was Jeff who really “put us on the map.” Meanwhile McKaig the innovator, with an impressive list of contacts, is looking to the future as far as the program is concerned and intends to keep building it with some exciting plans in mind.

At the completion of the 2014 season McKaig surpassed a significant milestone by guiding the Thunderbirds to more than 500 victories while at the same time has provided his student/ballplayers a chance to realize their dreams.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

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Paterson, Ron

UBC Phys. Ed (Kinesiology) graduate Ron Paterson is one of the better known sports “personalities” in Vancouver and one who has given back to the game of hockey. During the 1970s Ron was one of the best amateur hockey goalies in BC, if not Canada. For four years beginning in 1972 he was a stellar goalkeeper with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Coast Junior ‘A’ hockey league. He then tended goal for the UBC Thunderbirds for two years achieving Canada West All-Star status both seasons as well as playing for Canada’s World Student Games team. Graduating in 1979, Paterson continued his hockey career playing goal for Canada’s National Team as it prepared for the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid. Thunderbird teammate Doug Buchanan was also on that team with their coaches being two hockey legends, UBC’s Father David Bauer and 1951 UBC Physical Education graduate Clare Drake.

Following his hockey experience Paterson embarked upon a 25 year career with Molson Canada in addition to entrepreneurial endeavours such as ownership of a Surrey pub and co-ownership since 2005 of the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Paterson today remains engaged with both the BCHL as an owner and alternate – governor and with UBC as a supporter of Thunderbird hockey and its alumni. Because of his past association with Father Bauer, Ron has since become one of the main reasons the Father Bauer Golf Classic, a major UBC fund raiser, has been so successful for 25 years. And in the words of UBC hockey’s Rick Noonan, ”Without Ron the T-Bird hockey alumni would not have enjoyed the outstanding support of Molsons.”

Fred Hume, UBC Historian

 

 

 

Jackson, Roger

Dr. Roger Jackson is not only one of Canada’s most heralded athletes and for more than four decades has worked to raise the sights of Canada’s academic, medical and Olympic endeavours.

Jackson graduated from UBC with an MPE in 1967 after having become nationally recognized as a rower with UBC’s Eights and UBC’s Pairs, combining with teammate George Hungerford in the latter to win an unexpected gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was Canada’s flag-bearer for the 1968 Olympics continuing to row for Canada at the 1972 Olympic Games.
With his gold in 1964, he and Hungerford were the toast of the nation while being awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as the Canadian Athlete of the year – with Rick Hanson the only other UBC athlete to receive this prestigious honour.

Roger went on to doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin to achieve a PhD in Biodynamics. He then undertook a year of post-doctoral study at the University of Copenhagen. A year later, he represented Canada at the Munich Olympic Games, marking the end of his career as an Olympic competitor and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Jackson became involved with the Olympic movement as he co-ordinated the 1976 Olympics’ Game Plan as director of Sport Canada. He was chairman of the advisory board for the 1988 Calgary Olympics and was president of the Canadian Olympic Association from 1982 until 1990.

Roger continued his quest in physical education and Kinesiology as he became dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. He is also the founder and Director of the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre, which not only bears his name but has grown in influence and comprehensiveness.

Dr. Jackson has a most impressive list of honours and acknowledgements including: the BC and UBC Sports Halls of Fame, UBC Alumni Achievement Award, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the IOC Olympic Order and the Order of Canada.  In 2005, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Own the Podium 2010.

 

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Mitchell, Reid

UBC’s Physical Education (Kinesiology) faculty has been the career launching pad for many well-known coaches, teachers and athletes. Reid Mitchell proved to be a good example in addition to being one of the originals.

In fact Reid not only was a member of UBC’s inaugural Physical Education graduating class of 1949 but also the winner of the 1949 Bobby Gaul Award for his spirit, leadership and outstanding play with the basketball Thunderbirds. It was the previous year, 1948, that Reid played for the UBC team that won the Canadian basketball Olympic qualifying tournament. UBC’s victory meant Reid and his ‘Bird teammates, coached by Physical Education director Bob Osborne, were Canada’s basketball representatives at the 1948 London Olympics.

Following graduation Reid taught and coached at West Vancouver High School (his father was a long serving teacher and principal at the school) then in 1959 returned to UBC to teach in Physical Education. He would be here at UBC the same time as a fellow West Vancouver physical education teacher and the future director of UBC’s Women’s Athletics, Marilyn Pomfret.

Dr. Mitchell continued his significant teaching career at UBC and on many occasions helped young students launch their careers while serving as a role model. He was also an integral component of the BC High School Boys Basketball Association as it grew in the 1950s and 1960s, serving as its president.

Reid Mitchell, one of UBC and West Vancouver’s “icons”, passed away in 2012 and in a recent article in the North Shore “Outlook”, columnist Len Corben tells the entertaining story of how Reid in 1956 was the founder of West Vancouver High School’s distinctive tartan colours and its school nickname.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

 

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Sobral, Manny

1993 Kinesiology and Education graduate Manny Sobral has taken a most unique path among those who have graduated from UBC. Born in Spain, Manny’s family emigrated to Canada when he was 5 years old. At age 13 in an attempt to shed weight, he started boxing at the gym at Hastings & Main. By age 20, as an amateur boxer, he had won five gold medals representing Canada at international competitions. He was three times Canadian Amateur Champion and had represented Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, another of UBC’s unheralded Olympians. His 126 amateur bouts included 40 knockouts and only nine losses.

At age 25 as a teacher in the Burnaby school system and later in Vancouver, Manny turned professional and between 1996 and 1998 was Canadian Super Welterweight champion. During the 1990s he fought some of the world’s best welterweights and at one time was ranked in the top 10 in the world.

In 2002 at age 34, Manny retired from pro boxing with a 29 – 2 record and in addition to his Masters of Education degree co-founded Westcoast Promotions which has successfully promoted professional and amateur boxing events on the lower mainland. He has also promoted athletic charity events as well as World Police and Fire Fighter Games boxing events.

Boxing was and is perhaps Manny’s first love but his teaching is right up there as well as he says “ . . . I love and find (it) fulfilling.” In the words of the president of Boxing Canada “(Manny) is an example of how sport can shape the individual.”

Today Manny, through his sports experience and personality, is referred to as a successful esteem builder and educator of youth at risk.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

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Winslade, Ken

Ken Winslade is one of UBC’s all-time basketball greats and is also considered one of the lower mainland’s best city administrators.

A native of New Westminster, Ken graduated from UBC Physical Education as the top student of his 1960 class. Not only a top student during his five years at UBC but also an All-Star guard with both the UBC Jayvees and Thunderbirds. In 1959/60 Winslade was labelled a “demon on defense” yet emerged as the Western Canada scoring champion earning league MVP honours. The following season the UBC captain was again both scoring champion and league MVP, compiling twice as many votes as his nearest rival.

The ‘Birds these two years fashioned a combined 23-1 record with Winslade winning the 1961 Bobby Gaul Award as UBC’s male athlete of the year.

Since attaining his Masters Degree from UBC, specializing in recreation, Ken has been a high school teacher and coach, the Recreation Director for the City of New Westminster, the city’s Administrator of Parks and Recreation and the City Administrator for New Westminster.

Ken has also been an active volunteer with the BC High School Boys Basketball Association serving over 20 years as its Tournament Championship Director and as Assn. Executive Director.

In 1996 Winslade was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame and in 2006 inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Haar, John

Not many UBC Kinesiology graduates have pursued a career in baseball and be honoured with induction into the Canada Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact only one KIN grad fits that complete description and he is 1968 graduate John Haar.

As a student at UBC Haar can be considered one of the Blue & Gold’s greatest athletes. He was a record-setting T-Bird soccer player on some great UBC teams. As a Varsity football player he was pursued by the BC Lions and actually received a contract offer to play for the Dallas Cowboys. But Haar’s best sport was baseball as he played on UBC’s baseball team during the 1960s under coach Frank Gnup.

After winning the Bobby Gaul Award in 1968 Haar was one of the few Thunderbirds of the era to pursue a professional baseball career playing in both the Yankee and Giants organizations. This evolved into coaching and the establishing of Canada’s National Baseball Institute which helped launch the professional careers of several local baseball players.

In 1999 Haar was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame, later the Burnaby Hall of Fame and in 2007 received induction into the Canada Baseball Hall of Fame located in St. Thomas, Ontario. John remains a baseball lifer, it’s in his blood and he has many interesting stories to tell. He continues to serve baseball in his early 70s as a major league scout.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

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